Power Suit

07 October 2015

You won't see me in many 1950s looks (unless you're looking at older posts on this blog, before I found my style "niche" in the 30s and 40s). However, there is one part of 50s trends that make my heart melt: the suits. Specifically pencil-skirt suits.

To me, the 1950s were the glory years of suits. They're flattering, gorgeous, tailored, and full of amazing details. They are timeless and look just as chic now as they did then. In fact, 1950s suits are some of the easiest vintage pieces to wear in the modern world. People oftentimes don't even realize they're vintage because the lines are so classic; they just think it's a really nice suit!

This ensemble is my first well-fitting vintage suit, and I'm modeling it in front of a historic theater on our town square. I had to get the suit brought in a bit on the sides and could probably do with a bit less length on the skirt, but I don't want to do to much to it in case I should pass it to someone else in the future. Hemming skirts shorter has a way of majorly limiting who can wear the piece later, and I don't want to do it unless it's necessary.

The suit is made of a nubby wool weave with both brown and black threads. I paired it with a dusty rose colored sweater, the only shade of pink you'll find in my closet! For some reason, since I was a kid, this is the only pink I've ever liked. I used to refer to it as "grandma pink" until I realized the proper name was "dusty rose"!I accessorized with a brooch that used to belong to my grandmother, but, sadly, at some point while I was wearing it two of the little pink roses on it fell off! I found one on the floor of my office and will glue it back, and I'll be scouring my office today to see if I can find the other!

To finish off the outfit, I wanted a shoe that extended my leg. Since the skirt is a bit long on me, it gets real frumpy real fast if I wear flat or low shoes. What better to elongate the leg than some 5 inch platforms?! These are some of my favorite shoes; I won't lie. As I always say, gold snakeskin is a neutral!

I'm always on the hunt for more petite suits. I LOVE THEM. I love that the pieces can be mixed and matched with other garments or worn together. I love that they work for office looks but can be made casual by switching out the blazer with a cardigan. A suit to me is my "power look." I feel confident, capable, and beautiful in a well-fitting suit. They're my absolute favorite! Not to mention, there is a huge supply of vintage suits, and they can often be quite affordable compared to modern pieces with the same quality. With a bit of tailoring, voila! You have a classic piece that looks like a million bucks!So that being said... if any of you run across any tiny, short suits from the 20s-50s... I'm your gal!What are your thoughts on vintage suits? Do you have a certain outfit that is your "power look"?

I was SO excited when it fit so well! With a bit of altering, it's worked out beautifully! I've learned not to write off a suit until I have an alterations lady (or myself) look at its potential. A change here or there could make the suit work perfectly!

This suit is fabulous! And I understand the length issues, but it really does hit you where it should for this style. I have a Lilli Ann suit that I bought several years ago that someone chopped the skirt off on and I can only where the jacket. I'm not tall by any means (5'4"), but even when I was skinny enough to wear the skirt it hit above my knee and was just way too 90s looking for me. I do wear the jacket all of the time, though. Part of me hates to break up the suit, but I may just need to pass the skirt along to someone like you so it doesn't languish on a hanger forever ;)

Oh, well good! It would be easier to walk in if it were slightly shorter, but this just gives me a chance to work that wiggle walk, haha!And yes, I just got a suit from a friend that also hits above the knee and looks 90s. I think I'll be able to let the hem down a bit, hopefully. I hate when people do that!

Well, for one reason, all my vintage shoes that match this are at the cobbler. Secondly, they aren't as tall as these and don't elongate as well. I'd love to add some 40s sky-highs to my closet, though, for that reason!

Be still my vintage suit loving heart! Goodness, does this suit look amazing on you - and those killer heels were just the thing to add even more glamour to this sizzlingly chic ensemble. Awesome styling from head to toe!

♥ Jessica

*PS* Thank you very much for the reminder to wear suits with knits. So often I forget about that for myself and just stick with blouses, button downs, and/or lace trimmed camisoles.

That is a great looking suit! Love the details on the jacket, the cuffs and lapels are very different to what you see on suits nowadays. Yes, gold snakeskin is a neutral! I wish I could wear heels :) My oldish feet like the comfort of flats, so enjoy while you can!

I adore this suit, it's just so classic and I love the detail of the plackets at the waist, that's a really unusual touch. It looks amazing on you, as if it was destined to be yours and looks lovely with the dusty rose jumper and seamed stockings, perfectly 1950s. I recently bought a beautiful late 40s New Look suit jacket and am searching for matching fabric to make a skirt to create my own power suit!

You know, the skirt length is actually quite 1930s appropriate, and the suit details are so classic, if you hadn't told me it was 1950s, I would have assumed 30s. With your hair and the sweater, it really looks like a classic 30s look!! I really love that suit on you--it is so beautifully tailored, and your styling is superb.

About Me

Hey there! My name is Emileigh, and welcome to Flashback Summer, a vintage lifestyle blog with an intercultural twist! I'm an "old soul" in a twenty-something's body, and I adore exploring cultures, sewing, history, controversial subjects, Nutella, the Air Force, traveling, and learning new things. Feel free to stay a bit and look around!